UG set to break ground on downtown KCK bus center

The Unified Government and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority broke ground Friday on a MetroCenter bus stop that will be part of a new route taking travelers from downtown Kansas City, Mo., to The Legends Outlets of Kansas City, Kan.

Unfortunately, the much-needed rain put a stop to the ceremony, which has been rescheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, July 20.

The Downtown Kansas City, Kan., MetroCenter, at 7th Street and Minnesota, will feature improved customer waiting areas, as well as real-time passenger information. It will be part of the transit upgrade set to be complete next summer. The 101-Minnesota/State Ave. route will become the State Avenue/KCK Connex, featuring two new transit centers, passenger shelters and benches, added bus stop platforms, landscaping, and improved pedestrian connections.

The new Connex will begin at the 10th and Main MetroCenter in downtown Kansas City, Mo., travel through downtown Kansas City, Kan., serving the new transit center at 7th and Minnesota, and west along Minnesota and State Avenue to Village West.

The Downtown KCK MetroCenter will serve seven transit routes. The total ridership for all Metro and Unified Government bus routes is projected to surpass 1.3 million riders this year. This represents a 15 percent increase over 2010.

State Avenue Connex improvements are funded through a $10.5 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Additional funds are provided by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Livability grants and the Unified Government, for a total project investment of $13 million.

Street and sidewalk improvements are expected to be complete in January 2013, with full transit center completion in June 2013.